Good tidings

The Christmas season is upon us! As we rush around and decorating our homes,sending out Christmas cards and shopping for that perfect gift; stop to remember it is also the season of goodness. Reach out those who are struggling, be kind to those who go unnoticed. Spread extra doses of love during this season.

Still Here... Savoring life

Sorry folks , I am still here.Its not that life has ceased to inspire. Only that the time I have to blog is limited .The inspiration flows in daily. The world keeps on turning and you must keep moving right along. I think the thing that has struck me lately is To Savor. The girls are growing quickly. It would be easy to just take care of them meet all their basic needs. But I want to do more. To nurture, to teach, to instill. I am learning to not rush through life but to take time, find the teachable moments and savor.

Don't rush through life just getting through each day. Live, love learn. Take time to savor and celebrate every moment.

Small Things Matter

Today I came home excited to see my husband and rest for a spell from a long day. My husband said ... I brought you a surprise! I LOOOOVE surprises and they dont come too often so I was very happy. He said look in the refrigerator. There I found A large Sonic iced tea with extra ice. I felt happy just that he thought of me. Then as I went back to him he said wait... look in the freezer ( wow, what could it be?) It was a rectangular pink box with a gold sticker on top that read " cupcake Couture" I have wanted for so long to try one of these but we are always too busy. As I opened it, I saw not something yummy, but something beautiful. So I went outside to do what???Take a picture of course.

Yes just a small gesture with a huge impact. It touched my heart, my taste buds and my eyes.

The small things Matter!

A Cloudy Day

When life looks cloudy hold onto hope.
When the world says,"Give up," Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."

100 calorie snacks

Last October I lost 24 pounds in one month and have kept most of it off ( only gained back 5 pounds!) yes it is a little difficult but well worth the pounds. I highly reccomend the hcg diet it's only 21-40 days and then 2 -3 was of Maintenance.It's life changing.as I prepare to try again this year I am reminded of choosing my carefully what I eat. These are all 100 calorie snack ideas to eat. (after the diet and mantenience, hcg is very specific what to eat and not to eat.)Try it!

Weekends

The perfect weekend outfit.

Now that the wether has been cooler the weekends have been fun. Flea Markets,outdoor activities, movies....time with family and friends.Take time to relax and laugh each weekend. Yes I know house cleaning usually gets in the mix, but divide it up into Saturday and Sunday.Use your weekends to rejuvenate yourself. Then you will be ready for your week.

Happy Week!

Cultivating Friendships

Today I had a half day off. I could have shopped, gotten a pedicure, taken care of some business things or caught up on my sleep. So many choices. what to do?... what to do?... Instead I invited a friend to lunch, and then went to visit another friend I hadnt seen in a long time. I could have come home with new clothes, freshly painted toenails. or a rested mind and body. but I came home with a warm heart instead. 

So glad I chose friendship.

We are all on our own unique journey through this life but we all share in common the road we walk on. We might as well support and lift each other up as we go along. It makes a world of difference to have friends walking along side of you.

Take time to cultivate those friendships. They will fill your heart and encourage you to press on.

What makes your heart sing?

What Makes your heart sing?

I simply can not pass up a bargain. Attie and Lucy both got ... a new skirt. It brings me joy.
Dont pass up the small joys in life, for they are what makes up your life when strung all together.

Tell me, what is it that you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? - Mary oliver
May your heart always sing

Embrace The Rain

This morning I dressed lucy for the rain and realized... we have no jeans, no pants, no leggings. just dresses and skirts. A girly girl at heart. So we settled for a jean skirt and a hoodie we received as a gift. she went to the glass door and squealed with excitement at the rain. As I opened the door she ran straight out to the grass instead of staying on the covered patio. I caught myself from being sensible... and let her dance around. She waved her small hands in the air and began to twirl. she loved it. We brought out her little chair and watched the rain this morning. What a wonderous way to start our day.

So what does the rain represent in your life? do you avoid stepping out into it? or do you step out and know, it is just a part of life as when the sun shines in. Embrace the rain in your life. You will find ....that you can dance in it.

Filling My Senses

Though my days of leisure seems to have ceased, small joys are still to be found. After a sleepless night I woke up with a plan. To play hookie. eight hours , just to myself, to do as i please. no demands upon me.I sit by a window drenching my senses. I see the sun beaming across my souffle. I smell the coffee for another customer. I hear the silence of the peaceful early morning, I wrap my hand gently around my warm cup of tea. what could be better then filling my senses.The day seems to say .. come, sit enjoy.

We all need down time. seize yours. you deserve it.

Growing together

Marriage is a long road to togetherness. We learn to compromise, share and care for another. Our personalities,strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes melt together for one common purpose. Marriage challenges us and supports us to grow together to become one as a couple. It is no easy task, but if you work together and learn to function as a team the relationship is strong and can endure hardships, together and double the joys that you share along the way.

Today we celebrate our 8th Anniversary. Happy Anniversary to us.

Free Yourself

I struggle with a touch of perfectionism. I work really hard to have everything perfect. And its very hard to keep up with my expectations of me and what I think others are thinking of me. I try to always have it all together. But truth is,"I Dont" and it is ok. I have been working on letting go of this perfect image that Id dont quite meet up to and expectations people put on me. Nobody is perfect. When someone says" you have it all together... I just wanna say...look at my closets and my junk drawer!
(Saw this piece of Art and knew I needed to have it. It spoke to me visually and emotionally)

BE YOURSELF. Free Yourself from what you think people expect from you. You are good enough just the way you are.

Growing

When we first started taking classes to become foster parents our instructor said we were the cream of the crop. It takes special people to do this. I didnt understand that... till now. This is no easy task. It is not like having kids on your own. where you plan and ponder for 9 months at a time. You are thrown into this wonderful whirlwind of sweet and challenge. appointments, regulations and strangers in and out of your house. bottles binkies and pampers all rolled into one.You try your best to fit into what the perfect parent looks like to the "State" and follow all the rules that any normal loving parent would struggle with.The actual parenting and nurturing is the easy part. You jump in head first knowing your love for the kids will far  outweigh the challenges laid before you.

As we journey Thru parenthood and Fosterhood, we find that we are growing in ways we never knew we could. My husband and I are coming together as a team like never before. When he see's I am exhausted he looks for ways to relieve me. He is finding his own way as a father. I am so proud of him. I am proud of us. We are growing thru this.

Together

Lucys favorite activity is eating. when she arrived she dug in as soon as the food was placed before her. Now She sits in her little chair, holds out both hands and waits anxiously for us all to be present. When we sit together as a family, Pray and give thanks...Then We eat.We all need a sense of "together"

Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life!- Albert Einstein

Wonderfully Made

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. 

Wonderful are your works: My soul knows it very well. - Psalm 139:14

We all were made wonderfully. Born unique, with so many talents. Find your deepest passions and there you will find your place in the world. 

Adjustments

Bella-boo has been Our family for the last 7 years. She has been our joy. Well.... she has made some adjustments of her own. Her pampered life has had some changes. Though her needs are not instantly met we have tried to give her extra walks and assurance through the process. The first week, she got up with me for every feeding (even in the middle of the night) and followed me around staying close.  Now when the baby cries in the middle of the night... she doesn't bat an eye. And when Lucy goes to sleep she is EXHAUSTED. Lucy taunts her to no end(We have worked on being sooooft) but Bella has risen to the occasion. Even with all the hair and tail pulling, she has displayed as sense of understanding and her and Lucy are working it out. They are actually starting to play together. when Lucy starts to dance and twirl singing with joy, Bella gets excited and jumps around to. When we play outside. Bella gets the ball and runs, jumping out of reach when Lucy gets close. It quite cute to watch. Thank Goodness. All is Well....

Bottles and Binkies

I fall more and more in love every second. How could you not? When all is quiet in the early hours of the morning Attie is awake and alert. Our home is bustling with bottles, blankets and binkies in each room. The transition from no children to two in our home has been so smooth. Though you'd think it would have been a tough adjustment, it has been quiet the opposite. Peace has settled in. It is as it should have been all along. My husband and I are fully content and full of joy.

Lucy and Attie

PURE JOY

They arrived on a friday, July 6th. We welcomed them with open arms and a warm heart. Pure Joy.  Our home is changed forever and our heart will never be the same. Lucy is 2 yrs old. She is a healthy happy joyful talkative girly girl. Attie is a two month old premie. She is only 6 pounds. light as a feather. she is a doll baby. So beautiful and sweet.

Your own Whimsy

Off for the forth of July. We got up late and went to a local spot for breakfast. The day was so beautiful we picked up our dog to take her to the park. We strolled thru hand in hand & leash. With the weather being so unbelievably hot lately it was surprisingly nice and breezy today. It was a delight. We decided to go see a movie and later went to dinner. Sat on the patio with lovely tree's as our scenery. Though we had talked of going to see fireworks, for the 4th of July, we opted for a quilt and pillows thrown outside in our very own backyard. We heard fireworks (we live behind a park) looked at the stars and listed to Pandora. In our Jammie's. We talked most of the night. It was so relaxing and out of the box. and in the middle of the week.Who knew? We had such a romantic setting at our house all this time.

Think outside of the box, create your own whimsy.

My Cheerful Bathroom

I painted my bathroom today! I purchased this shower curtain (For $2.95 at Big Lots) months ago and based the whole bathroom colors around it. I just found these wonderful frogs with lily pads at a rummage sale this week end for .25 cents. The Easter chick, I found at the flea market for $7 and purchased the tray at target. It had all the right colors.The yellow walls pulled it all together. So cheery. On to my next project!

To Do List

I write lists all the time so that I may keep focused and not waste my days. I want to know I used every minute of my life fully. So fill your day's with Productivity, Fulfillment and Fun and don't forget a dash of Whimsy! Here is what I hope to accomplish this week:

Paint my extra bathroom "Joyful Yellow
Lunch and or movie with a friend 
Reorganize the bathroom cabinet

A day of Creativity-decopouge dresser, work on carousel pony, photography

Work on maintaining tan -my backyard or the lake???
Go to the gym at least 2x this week
clean house

Make a Lemon Tart (new recipe)

A Lemon tartlette

I am in LOVE with this Lemon tart. My husband thinks Im insane that I get so excited over a pastry. He did not want to know how much it cost ( he dropped me off in front of the La Madeline as I ran in) I came out beaming like id just won the lottery. We had to run into Walmart before we got home and I refused to leave it in the car, for fear the heat would somehow harm the integrity of the flavor. I guarded it with my life. So I carried my special La Madeline pastry box so carefully setting it in the cart. When we got home I had to take it outside and photograph it before I allowed my self to gently cut into it.

Simply Divinity.

Inspirations to live by

CREATE the life you want. Don't wait. Do it now.

CELEBRATE each day as if it were your last. Don't waste it.

BE TRUE TO YOURSELF. Allow the beauty in your heart to shine through to touch your world.

Resilience

Though we are not born with a resilient heart, I think we learn fast that this journey requires it. Though life can find us at the top of the mountain's with joy and a triumphant heart, it is the valleys that strength is born. It is a learned skill. Don't fight it, the bad that life brings. Fight what it can do to your spirit. Protect your heart like a warrior, but be soft enough to not allow it to grow bitter.The world can be a rough place, face it head on. With strength and valor. But don't sweat the small stuff. Look for the lessons and find the beauty in the journey. Life can be a wonderful place too. keep your eyes and heart open. You are strong. You can do it.

The Beautiful

A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture everyday of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.  - Johann Wolfgang VonGoethe

Remember to enjoy the things in life which are free and can set your soul apart from that which keeps you wanting.

Lace Princess Crowns

Found these adorable crowns on Pinterest. They are made of lace. Ill give the quick directions, then when you get ready to make them go to the site thisismeinspired.blogspot.com/2012/0/princess-crowns-diy.html

                                                         

Supplies

crocheted lace            acrylic paint or spray paint                                  hot glue gun                clear spray laquer

fabric stiffener             mod podge                                                                       wax paper                    glitter  

First find the crocheted laces, dip lace into bowl of fabric stiffener. saturate.dry overnight. paint with acrylic paint or spray paint. after dry spread pod podge and sprinke on glitter. once dry spray with 3 coats of laquer. Then form form into a crown and glue ends. adorable :)

A Day of Rest

Sunday's have always been a day of rest. a day to reflect on the week past and plan for the week ahead. Find time today to spend time alone and nurture your soul. find the peace deep inside that God intends for us to keep through out the week. Find rest.

Saturdays

For the love of Saturdays. To late morning rise, extended time in your pj's and the sun in my eyes. Oh How I love this day of relaxation, no agenda and a reward of fun for the past work week. 

Spend your day with bliss and throw your cares to the wind. Have a blessed Saturday :)

Bitter Sweet

As the last days of school come to an end there is a mix of emotions. Though I am sooo excited that I have the summer ahead of me, I also know that this chapter is coming to a close. The children run and play as I watch their sweet faces and know they will move onto new endeavours next year. Just a part of life I guess. Bitter sweet. This was graduation day/ They wore such sweet colorful dresses, I just had to take a pic!

Love of interiors

Love this decor! Thought it is different from my style, i admire the mix of patterns and styles and colors. So brave!!! Be brave this week. Mix it up a little, go out of your comfort zone. Have a little fun :)

Letting Go

As Summer approaches, I feel lighter already. AHHH just the thought of getting up late sipping my morning tea on the patio and filling my day with creative things to do. So excited. We have 7 more working days till we are off for the summer. Makes me want to dance.

Throw your cares to the wind. Take off the weights of worry and stress. Let go of all that holds you down. Be free!!!

Life's little situations

Life's little situations can really drain you and steal your joy. Find peace in knowing that you have a great big God that can handle it all.
Thank God my lifeguard walks on water! 

Find peace in the middle of a frustrating day. 

You are not alone.

A World of Wonder

Have you ever been so awe struck by beauty you feel like your heart wants to burst with joy? I have and the moment is branded into my memory forever. That night I asked God to grant me a wish. I wished that "ALL the days of my life I would have beauty bestowed before my eyes."I believe he has granted me that wish. I actually think it was always there, it just took my Awe-Ha moment to wake me up. All I have to do is look. 

Children see the world with wonder and excitement. So why don't we? 
Find wonder and amazement in all your dayz. It is bestowed before you everyday.You just have to look.
Have a WONDER-full week!

Cupcake Love

Cupcakes are all the rage now a days. and why shouldn't they be? They have more than earned their way into the dessert world we live in. It is like having a personal cake all to yourself with out all the calories that a whole cake entail's. Each so unique and personal and you dont have to eat it with a fork!

Solice

In all of life's busyness, appointments, engagements and responsibilities we need to take time out. when life is overwhelming and demanding remember to take some time out for solice.. peace. Find time alone to rest and gather your thoughts. You will be a better person for it. We all need time for quiet and peace. Just as you feed and clothe yourself, remember to take care of your soul. It is the core of who you are.